Dear CrossFit, Technique and Second Chances

Technique.

One word, infinite ramifications.

For the past two weeks Ctown has been offering extra technique classes in the evening. They’ve always offered training camps and on-ramps, and now they’ve taken this extra step, which reflects the commitment of our head coach Carl Sandridge and long time coach Larry Crooks to moving properly.  After classes, after competitions, after the Open, after Regionals, Carl and Larry are most proud of how their athletes have moved.  Their committment is reflected in the fact that they’ve had world class athletes (e.g., Julie Foucher) providing technique classes. 

I’ve attended all the classes.  Why?  Here’s the algorithm I used to guide my reasoning.

1. Is my technique perfect?  If yes, go to class and practice so it stays perfect (or to help others).  If no, go to class and learn. 

2. Is there are a class available?  If yes, go to class.  If no, find a class to go to.

3. Are you going to go to technique class?  If yes, go to class.  If no, goto 1.

(my apologies to Dykstra for the goto, here’s the equivalent C code with no goto)

main ( )

{

     int i;

     for ( i = 0; i < 1; i = 0)

     {

          attend.technique.class()

      } // end for

} // end main

 

I need technique class, you need technique class, we all need technique class.  If you think you move okay and you don’t need technique class, then you really need technique class.  CrossFit is about a lot of things.  It’s about community, it’s about doing work, it’s about having fun, it’s about getting strong and limber. It’s about realizing what you do well and what you can do better.  It’s humbling, yet it’s profoundly liberating to admit that you don’t do something well and to seek help for it.   

If you move better, everything else is easier.  Trust me, easier is better.  I have some experience in not being able to move so well.  Arthritis destroyed my left hip to the point where I could not move.  Life was hard.  Every step hurt, until walking was impossible.  Through the miracle of orthopaedic surgery (thanks Dr. Peter Brooks) I was given a second chance.  I want to learn to move properly before age and arthritis take it all away.  So when Julie and Dani were scheduled to offer the technique classes, I said yes.  The following quote from Edison (from Milan, Ohio) appears on Julie’s twitter handle:

“The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will instruct in the care of the human frame, in diet, and in the cause and prevention of disease” ~ Edison

Technique can help you avoid having to spend more time receiving medicine and after-the-fact repairs (e.g., hip replacements).

So thanks Julie for taking so much time over the past weeks to help me move better.  The hour you spent last night working on just the air squat and then the OHS following up on Dani’s squat clinic last week were extremely valuable to me (producing a 100% PR on the OHS (2x PVC)).  It’s excellent to see this young generation of doctors recognize the value of instructing “in the care of the human frame”.  Consider following Julie’s blog here: http://juliefoucher.com/

So thanks CrossFit for giving Carl and Larry and Julie and Dani and all the other passionate teachers a vehicle to share their vision.  Thanks CrossFit for giving me a community that understands about this second chance.  Thanks CrossFit for the friends and training partners who suffer right there alongside, and cheer me home, and who help in ways they may never comprehend.

I wonder what tomorrow’s WOD will be…